Architecture of Pancreatic Islets; Transcriptional Regulation of Insulin Gene Expression; The Biosynthesis of Insulin; Metabolic Regulation of Insulin Secretion; Mechanisms of Beta-Cell Death in Diabetes; Ion Channels and Insulin Secretion; Gap Junctions and Insulin Secretion; Protein Kinase A-Independent Mechanism of cAMP in Insulin Secretion; Regulation of Insulin Granule Exocytosis; Mechanism of Insulin Exocytosis Analyzed by Imaging Techniques; Two-Photon Excitation Imaging of Insulin Exocytosis; Regulation of Beta-Cell Growth and Death; Beta-Cell Replication
Summary
The beta cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans are the only cells in the body that produce and secrete insulin. This metabolic hormone plays a central role in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis, regulating glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue as well as carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism in these tissues and the liver. This book provides a comprehensive up-to-date review of the beta cell in health and disease. Chapters address the architecture and pathology of normal and diabetic pancreatic islets; regulation of beta-cell proliferation and death; the potential of stem
